The cow Bos primigenius (which is farmed for meat and milk) has a smaller brain and larger eyes than closely related species of wild ungulates. Which of the following statements best describes the process that led to differences between domesticated/farmed cows and their wild relatives?
A) Natural selection resulted in changes in the wild species because humans preyed upon them.
B) Natural selection resulted in changes in the lineage leading to domesticated cows because humans provided food for their cows.
C) Artificial selection resulted in changes in the lineage leading to domesticated cows because humans wanted animals with high milk output and high muscle content.
D) Artificial selection resulted in changes in the lineage leading to domesticated cows because humans wanted animals that would see predators and escape from them.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Artificial selection, a form of selection in which humans actively choose which animals get to reproduce based on desired traits, led to the domesticated cows we see today. Humans bred cows for traits like high milk output and high muscle content, not for their ability to see predators and escape, which explains the differences between domesticated cows and their wild relatives.

The Cow Bos Primigenius (Which Is Farmed for Meat and Milk)